I am currently using toe clip peddles and a flat sole shoe, which does flex when I peddle. (Bad, I know ) I was thinking of changing to cycling shoes with cleats. I'm after something that I can walk around in after a hard days touring, so a sunken cleat design might be best. Or would it be better to stay with the toe clips and find a slim shoe with little to no flex?
Does anyone have any ideas on this matter or would recommend a shoe model?
Many thanks,
Tom.
Last edited by TomTurner on 23 Aug 2010, 7:28pm, edited 1 time in total.
"It never gets easier, you just go faster."Greg LeMond
I use some Specialised BG MTB shoes which are well ventilated, pretty stiff and best of all very comfortable. They allow a certain amount of walking around, but if I want to do more I simply change into the sandals I carry. At the end of a day I want to take off the cycling shoes in any case.
I've taken to using SPD sandals (Exustar). No need to carry evening shoes, doesn't matter if they get wet, save on carrying socks (if it's not cold enough to need gloves, you don't need them), get interesting suntan marks on your feet.
I am currently using toe clip peddles and a flat sole shoe, which does flecks when I peddle. (Bad, I know ) I was thinking of changing to cycling shoes with cleats. I'm after something that I can walk around in after a hard days touring, so a sunken cleat design might be best. Or would it be better to stay with the toe clips and find a slim shoe with little to no flecks?
Does anyone have any ideas on this matter or would recommend a shoe model?
Many thanks,
Tom.
Hi Tom: it took me ages to work out what you meant by "flecks" but I got it in the end (it was very late)
I would recommend that you think very carefully about it. Few doubt that cleats are best so look for an MTB type (recessed) and maybe take another pair of shoes for those long evening walks you mention (if you have the energy). Why not just cycle in the evening instead?
When the pestilence strikes from the East, go far and breathe the cold air deeply. Ignore the sage, stay not indoors. Ho Ri Zon 12th Century Chinese philosopher
I picked up some Shimano RT81's from Chain Reaction a few months back which have a full ratchet closure and recessed SPD cleats for easy walking. They were marked down from £80 to £40 and looking around now it appears they have disappeared from the market with only the RT51s and RT31 currently available. Don't know if I'd wear them for leisure wear after a day's riding as they are silver - so MTB SPD's might be a better compromise if that was a concern although they would not be quite as rigid.
My guess is Shimano is about to release a new top of the range touring shoe. Dromati - the classic Italian leather shoe maker - also do an SPD touring option for about £150 which is supposed to be very comfortable.
take a look at the exustar from Stelvio, full blown MTB shoes like Specialzed MTB and Shoes such as the Specialized Taho Shimano do some excellent sandals as does Lake. You'll have to make your own mid up which is best for You. All of the above could be used with clips or clipless pedals. You'll need to decided where you personally want to draw the line between flex and ease of walking. My own personal favourite is the Mavic touring shoe. viewtopic.php?f=18&t=37026 But I only want limited walking ability from a pair of shoes and do use SPD
Have used Shimano shoes and cleats for years on most of my bikes (only difference is race bike where I use Look style). The cleats are recessed for walking. You need to try a couple of different types of shoes on, some feet suit Shimano and others suit other styles of shoes.
I stand and rejoice everytime I see a woman ride by on a wheel the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood. HG Wells
For me, it depends on the type of touring. For trips where I'm likely to be doing shorter spells of riding, frequently interspersed with sightseeing (such as a recent Orkney trip), I'll use a pair of Specialised Taho shoes. For trips with longer, harder, cycling I'll use a pair of more rigid shoes (Specialised BG Sport). Off the bike also depends on the location and expected weather - either sandals or lightweight running shoes (these from Inov8). The Shimano A530 pedals allow me to cycle in my 'spare' footwear, which can be handy for short trips to the pub/beach/restaurant.
Spesh Tahoe if you've a broad foot. I wear them 90% of the time when riding. Relatively cheap, relatively stiff, good for cycling and you can still walk about in them, though on stone and wood floors the cleats will make (sometimes horribly noisey) contact so they can be unpopular with Cathedral sacristans and NT custodians (ime, anyway). The uppers don't scream 'cyclist' until someone sees the cleats.
Similar price point from Shimano gets you similar performance and ease of use but on a much narrower last ime.
I bought these shoes from Lidl some months ago and during a recent cycle camping trip used them on and off the bike. They were very comfortable and although perhaps a bit heavy, they are well made and feel like they will last for years. As you can see, they will take cleats, but I used them with clips and straps. Can't remember what I paid for them but they were very cheap.
Many of the things you can count, don't count. Many of the things you can't count, really count. - Albert Einstein
) I was thinking of changing to cycling shoes with cleats. I'm after something that I can walk around in after a hard days touring, so a sunken cleat design might be best. Or would it be better to stay with the toe clips and find a slim shoe with little to no flex?
